Ridgecrest residents provided a cold splash of reality at Wednesday night's city council meeting when several showed up in force to support keeping the local public pool open.

More than a dozen people spoke during public comment in light of tentative suggestions to close Sgt. Pinney Pool as part of a way for the city's Parks and Recreation department to cut $200,000 from its 2013-14 fiscal year budget.

One of the proposals for closing down the pool was due to its age and its deteriorating condition. Jim Ponek, the Parks and Recreation director, consistently advised the council the pool has — at most — two more seasons before it needs a massive and costly upgrade.

The pool was built in 1974.

Local resident Grant Hanson called on the council to reconsider any possible decision to close the pool, stating it was the wrong move in light of recent scale backs of the facilities available at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station.

"If you close Pinney Pool, that leaves the one pool on base and the In Shape pool that is totally inadequate for most aquatic activities," Hanson said. "Aquatics has been a thriving activity."

He cited that more than 20 national champions, All-Americans and CIF champions.

Hanson said one of the solutions to combat high, year-round expenses and meet adequate space needs was to build an year-round facility.

Ray Hoffmann, president of the IWV Swimming Team, pointed out that swimming education could help develop essential skills necessary to save lives.

"I'm pretty passionate about keeping the pool open," Hoffmann said. "And if the pool closes, it will never reopen."

He pointed out similar situations had occurred in other desert communities.

Ken Amster said he appreciated the trend and support for keeping Pinney Pool open, but said the desire for positive revenue generation should not be the dominant factor in keeping the facility open.

"These are public goods we are talking about and I think we need to think in terms of needs assessments, not if we can make a profit," Amster said. He said the goal of the city government is to provide those needs.

Amster also pointed out an idea for an aquatics center was laudable, but unrealistic.

"We don't need a Cadillac, we need a Rambler," Amster said. "We really need a pool that can support the needs of the community."

Heidi Costanzo, a parent who had just come from a Burroughs swim practice, pointed out that the Burroughs High girls swim team was undefeated in the current season.

Another parent, Tina Halterman, voiced similar beliefs, citing the pool was necessary for the community.

"My son, who is only eight, is a very competitive swimmer and has broken some records recently," she said. "If we do away with the pool, there is going to be many, many people who are not going to move on with their lives. My son would not be able to continue on with his competitiveness and one day have the chance to move on to a higher level of competitive swimming."

Page 2 of 2 - Teri Bayer, another resident, expressed concern that Pinney Pool was challenged "because of the number of activities that are held there."

Mayor Dan Clark asked Bayer if she — and others — would support an assessment district to help support or build a new pool facility.

"Swimming moms and dads are a family community, so you talk a lot," Clark said. "Do you think those families would support a assessment district?"

Bayer said the challenge was with the older generations who would be more predisposed to question why it would be of use for them.

"I think we could pull it off, but it would take a hard push and I think you would have a lot of swim fans that would help with that push," Bayer said.

Former vice mayor Jerry Taylor pointed out the school district helped fund the pool, paying for utilities four months out of the year.

"You — as a council — get a freebie during that part of the year," Taylor said. He said relative to the cost of the pool, the council was receiving feedback from the community and should consider other tough budget cuts.

Mayor Pro Tem Jason Patin was quick to point out the council had not taken up the issue yet.

"It is still at a committee level and we have not decided to close the pool or keep it open," Patin said.

In a brief interview Thursday, Ponek praised the turn out at the council.

"Wednesday's turnout was a big voice from the aquatics community, so I encourage everyone to attend the Quality of Life Committee meeting on April 11 at the Kerr McGee Center at 5 p.m.," Ponek said. "We are going to continue discussions about the budget direction for parks and recreation."